Cruïlla Festival 2016, an international local festival

One day I saw on my Facebook feed that Damien Rice was playing in Barcelona. Quickly jabbed the link. Cruïlla Festival. The truth is that this festival seemed to me an unattractive, second class festival... too local for my taste. However, being able to see Damien Rice live was well worth it and the dates were perfect.En mi feed de Facebook me apareció la noticia de que Damien Rice tocaba en Barcelona. Rápidamente pinché el enlace. Cruïlla Festival. La verdad es que siempre me había parecido un festival de segunda poco atractivo... demasiado local. Sin embargo, poder volver a ver a Damien Rice en directo bien lo valía. Las fechas eran perfectas. No me coincidía con nada.

As this year I was attending several festivals, I thought of buying a ticket only for one day... until they announced James, Robert Plant, Alabama Shakes and Calexico ... So, I was forced to buy 3-day ticket. And thanks to this accumulation of coincidences I got to know this wonderful festival and I have gotten rid of unfounded prejudices.Como este año ya tenía varios festivales programados, pensé en comprarme solo la entrada de día... hasta que anunciaron James, Robert Plant, Alabama Shakes y Calexico... En fin, tenía que comprarme el abono. Y gracias a este cúmulo de casualidades he conocido este maravilloso festival y me he deshecho de prejuicios sin fundamentos.

I found Cruïlla a very close festival, well organized and with a fantastic atmosphere. A very international cartel, with a very local public and organization. Of course I have nothing against international audience, but sometimes the local "calm" is appreciated. After the enormity of Primavera, Cruïlla is a festival that lets you enjoy music without having to run marathon distances between stages or juggled to see all groups you want. Four stages, at walkable distances and very few simultaneous concerts.El Cruïlla me ha parecido un festival super cercano, bien organizado y con un ambiente fantástico. Un cartel muy internacional, con un público y organización muy locales. Desde luego no tengo nada en contra del público internacional, pero a veces se agradece la "calma" local. Tras la enormidad del Primavera, el Cruïlla es un festival que te permite disfrutar de la música sin tener que hacer distancias maratonianas entre escenarios ni malabarismos para poder ver todos los grupos que quieres. Cuatro escenarios, a distancias humanas y con pocos conciertos simultáneos.

Well, Damien Rice was amazing! I just missed I do not Want To Change You, but being in the front raw is priceless. James also left me totally amazed and since then I can't stop listening to their new album. Alabama Shakes certainly didn't let anyone indifferent. Also a blast being able to see live a legend like Robert Plant. Closing the festival on Sunday with Calexico was another treat, especially because we had the voice of Amparo. A ten!